Travel Guide To Darjeeling, India

Spread in ribbons over a steep mountain ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by majestic Khangchendzonga (8598m), Darjeeling is the definitive Indian hill station and is arguably West Bengal’s premier attraction. When you aren’t gazing open-mouthed at Khangchendzonga, you can explore colonial-era architecture, visit Buddhist monasteries, and spot snow leopards and red pandas at the nearby zoo. The adventurous can arrange a trek to Singalila Ridge or hire a mountain bike for a guided ride around the hilltops. Meanwhile the steep and winding bazaars below the town bustle with an array of Himalayan products and faces from across Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. finally, when energies start to flag, a good, steaming Darjeeling brew is never far away.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is Bagdogra in Siliguri, 96 km from Darjeeling.

Air India (formerly Indian Airlines), India's largest airline, has flights from:

Delhi - IC 880 (Tu/Th/Sat) and IC 879 (Mon/Fri - via Guwahati)

Guwahati - IC 879 (Mon/Fri)

Kolkata - IC 721 (Tu/Th/Sat)

Jet Airways, a private airline, has flights from:

Delhi - 9W 601 (Mon/Wed/Fri - Via Guwahati) and 9W 602 (Tu/Th/Sat/Sun)

Guwahati 9W 601 (Mon/Wed/Fri)

Kolkata 9W 617 (Daily)

Spice Jet also operates flights from Kolkata & Delhi.

IndiGo also operates direct/indirect flights from Delhi and Guwahati.

All other cities major cities can be accessed by taking a flight to Delhi/Kolkata and connecting.

By taxi/shared jeep

Siliguri is the nearest town connected to the mainline rail network. Ample transport is available to Darjeeling from here. The most popular modes of transport are taxi (usually shared by three to four passengers), shared jeep (ten passengers) @ ₹150/ to ₹200/ depends on time.

Shared jeeps depart regularly, from several locations around town. They leave when full, and are a cheap, fast and reasonably comfortable way to get to Darjeeling.

If you have arrived by train at New Jalpaiguri, you can take a taxi or shared jeep to reach Darjeeling from the booking counter at the taxi stand in front of the railway station. There is also a prepaid taxi stand in front of the train station. Note that if you arrive too late for the jeep to make a return journey from Darjeeling, you may end up paying more, e.g. ₹200 per person. The prepaid counter will tell you that no jeeps are available, so you'll have to find one via a fixer or by negotiating directly with drivers.

Tourists often opt to buy an extra seat or two to have more space for the 3-hour journey up to Darjeeling! Luggage is carried for free on the roof. Jeeps may stop for a snack and toilet break on the way up (normally a few km short of Kurseong).

Reserve cars are available from Kings Travels,dial: 098304-28401/ 093319-39486 for tour purpose in Darjeeling.

Travel Guide To Sikkim, India

Sikkim was its own mountain kingdom till 1975 and still retains a very distinctive personality. The meditative, mural-filled traditional monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism coexist with Hindu shrines of the ever-growing Nepali community, both religions creating some astonishing latter-day mega-sculptures to adorn the skyline.

Hassle-free and warm-hearted, it's a state that's all too easy to fall in love with, explaining perhaps why permit regulations prevent foreigners staying too long or going too far. Clean, green and 'all organic' since 2016, Sikkim is mostly a maze of plunging, super-steep valleys thick with lush subtropical woodlands and rhododendron groves, rising in the north to the spectacular white-top peaks of the eastern Himalaya. When clouds clear, an ever-thrilling experience from many a ridgetop perch is spotting the world's third-highest mountain, Khangchendzonga (8598m), on the northwestern dawn horizon.

“Planning a trip to Sikkim? Thinking about best things to see and do during your trip to this little gem of North East India? Here is an extensive travel guide that tells you about Sikkim’s main tourist attractions, activities, food and shopping.”

Get In

Entry to Sikkim is only through the state of West Bengal. Sikkim State buses regularly ply between Siliguri and Gangtok. Nearest railway station is at New Jalpaiguri in the state of West Bengal. From Delhi and Kolkata, trains can be booked upto New Jalpaiguri; from where, buses, jeeps and taxis can be hired till Gangtok. If you are planning a trip by plane, then the nearest airport is at Bagdogra from where you can take a taxi to Gangtok. Several flights from Delhi and Kolkata fly regularly to Bagdogra.

Gangtok

Also known as the ‘Land of Monasteries’, Gangtok is the beautiful capital of Sikkim. Mesmerizing views of the soaring peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga, fresh mountain air, picture postcard beauty and salubrious climate; makes it one of the best places to spend relaxing and peaceful vacations in the lap of Mother Nature. Here are some of the must-see tourist attractions in Gangtok.

• Nathu La- Located at a distance of around 55 km. from Gangtok and at an altitude of 14,500 ft. Nathu La is an important trade link between India and China. Spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of the Eastern Himalayas from Nathu La, lures thousands of tourists every year to this scenic place. Being an important military post of the Indian Army, special permissions need to be taken 24 hours in advance from the Army authorities in Gangtok. Also, the pass remains open only for few specific days of the week, that too only for Indian nationals. Make sure you study the weather forecast well before heading towards Nathu La as the roads to the pass are prone to landslides and avalanches. Also, the visit to Nathu La is not recommended for children and adults who are prone to asthma or other breathing problems.
• Tsomgo Lake- Enroute to Nathu La, you will come across the enchanting Tsomgo or Changu Lake. Crystal clear waters of the lake with stunning backdrop of the snowy summits of the Himalayan peaks, offer great panoramic vistas. The lake gets completely frozen in winters, giving it an additional touch of artistic splendour. One of the favourite stopovers for tourists heading to the Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake is an ideal place to indulge your taste buds in piping hot tea made of special Yak milk and butter, accompanied with Maggi or delicious momos. The trip to Tsomgo Lake is incomplete without taking a memorable Yak ride in its vicinity. An inner line permit needs to be obtained by all tourists from the Army authorities before visiting the lake.
• Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial – The memorial is located at a distance of around 18 km. from the Tsomgo Lake towards the Nathu La. Popularly known as the ‘Baba Mandir’, the memorial is dedicated to the brave Sepoy of Indian Army who lost his life around 30 years back in this region. It is believed that the soul of Baba Harbhajan Singh is still guarding the international boundary of India and China; he is believed to warn about dangers on the border through dreams of fellow army men. Even the soldiers on the other side of border share stories of a human figure patrolling the area during night. The memorial is visited by many locals, families of the Army men and tourists who come here to pay their hearty respect to baba.
• Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary and Water Falls – Located around the Tsomgo Lake area is another interesting tourist attraction, the ‘Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary’, which is one of the best high altitude scenic wildlife sanctuaries in India. Apart from being the home to some endemic species of Himalayan alpine flowers that include colourful primulas, magnolias, poppies and irises, the sanctuary is also famous for its Red Pandas and Snow Leopards. The breath-taking ‘Kyongnosla Waterfalls’ in the sanctuary, with the water gushing down from the height of 10, 400 ft., is also a sight to behold.
• Rumtek Monastery - Largest monastery in Sikkim, the ‘Rumtek Monastery’ is a must visit place during your holidays in Sikkim. Located at a distance of 23 km. from Gangtok and perched at a height of 5000 ft., the monastery is surrounded with lush green landscapes and small flowing streams. Built in a traditional Tibetan style of architecture and decorated with colourful murals, the monastery houses the Golden Stupa that contains relics and ashes of the sixteenth Karmapa. Tranquil settings of the monastery combined with sounds of enchantments of mantras by the monks, reverberates your souls with inner peace and solace during your visit to this divine place.
• Enchey Monastery – Another significant Buddhist Monastery and one of the most famous tourist attractions of Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery lies at a distance of just 3 km. from the main city centre. Sights of the spinning prayer wheels, vibrant prayer flags and echoing chants of the monks, all this combined with peaceful surroundings is sure to fill your heart with divinity and spirituality.
• Ganesh Tok – Located at a distance of 6 km. from Gangtok, Ganesh Tok is perched on a hill top and is home to a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Besides the temple, the place is also considered to be one of the finest points in Gangtok from where you can get best views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, other Eastern Himalayan peaks and the city of Gangtok.
• Hanuman Tok – This is the best point in Gangtok to get surreal vistas of the Himalayan peaks and can be reached through a steep ascent of 4 km. further up the Ganesh Tok. A beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, maintained by the Indian Army is the major attraction of this place. You will be amazed to see the pujari of the temple dressed in the uniform of the Indian Army.
• Ban Jhakri Falls – Situated amidst a lush green valley at a distance of around 4 km. from Gangtok, the Ban Jhakri Falls are an enchanting scenic site visited by many tourists. Enclosed within a beautifully landscaped park based on the Shamnistic theme and dotted with sculptures depicting the Jhakri (local Sikkimese) culture, these falls provide a perfect ambience to have a fun-filled day with family.
• Gangtok Ropeway – The Gangtok Ropeway is another interesting tourist attraction in Gangtok. The cable ride starts from the Deorali Market and takes you to highest point of Gangtok, Tashiling. Providing you with the bird’s eye view of the Gangtok city and the surrounding Himalayan peaks, this ride is a must when you are in Sikkim.

Travel Delhi, Capital Of India

Introducing

Delhi is a city where time travel is feasible. Step aboard your time machine (the sleek and efficient metro) and you can go from Old Delhi, where labourers haul sacks of spices and jewellers weigh gold on dusty scales, to modern New Delhi, with its colonial-era parliament buildings and penchant for high tea. Then on to the future: Gurgaon, a satellite city of skyscraping offices and glitzy malls.

This pulsating metropolis has a bigger population than Australia, and is one of the world's most polluted cities. But woven into its rich fabric are moments of pure beauty: an elderly man threading temple marigolds; Sufi devotional songs; a boy flying a kite from a rooftop.

So don’t be put off. Delhi is a city that has been repeatedly ravaged and reborn, with vestiges of lost empires in almost every neighbourhood. There's so much to experience here, it's like a country in itself.

Visit Jaipur The Pink City, India

Jaipur the pink city Introduction

Enthralling, historical Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is the gateway to India’s most flamboyant state.

Jaipur is known as the Pink City and on arrival visitors will immediately understand the reasoning behind the name. Every building within the walled historic centre is painted a terracotta “pink” colour and there are few exceptions to this uniformly colour scheme. This colour is so significant to the heritage of the city that it is enforced under local law. Considering the woes and inadequate infrastructure of Jaipur it may appear baffling to visitors as to why there is such a coherent colour scheme running through the city. This guide will detail the history behind the pink of Jaipur.

The city’s colourful, chaotic streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new. Careering buses dodge dawdling camels, leisurely cycle-rickshaws frustrate swarms of motorbikes, and everywhere buzzing autorickshaws watch for easy prey. In the midst of this mayhem, the splendours of Jaipur’s majestic past are islands of relative calm evoking a different pace and another world.

At the city’s heart, the City Palace continues to house the former royal family; the Jantar Mantar, the royal observatory, maintains a heavenly aspect; and the honeycomb Hawa Mahal gazes on the bazaar below. And just out of sight, in the arid hill country surrounding the city, is the fairy-tale grandeur of Amber Fort, Jaipur’s star attraction.

Visit Goa, India

Introducing Goa

Pint-sized Goa is more than beaches and trance parties. A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood and spirituality, there's nowhere in India quite like it.

Cultural Crockpot

Goa stands out in India for its Portuguese colonial architecture and heritage. The Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1510, lured by the exotic East and the promise of lucrative spice routes. Their indelible mark is still evident in the state’s baroque architecture, whitewashed churches, crumbling forts, colourful Catholic ceremonies, mournful fado music and the stunning cathedrals of Old Goa.

Spiritual Sanctuary

Want to top up your Zen as well as your tan? Welcome to winter in Goa where yoga is king and the crop of spiritual activities grows more bountiful each year: sunrise t’ai chi sessions, reiki healing courses, meditation, and just about every other form of spiritual exploration, are all practised freely. Many travellers come here for a serious yoga experience and you'll find everything from drop-in classes to teaching training courses and spiritual retreats.

Why I Love Goa

By Paul Harding, Writer

After travelling overland from Delhi through central India and Mumbai to Goa back in the 90s, the beaches, all-night parties and laid-back tropical vibe came as a blissful surprise. I've been back numerous times and while some things may have changed, the essence remains the same. I love hanging around by the beach, cruising through impossibly green countryside on two wheels, and the evening ritual of watching the sun melt into the Arabian Sea with a cold beer and a plate of spicy prawns. And I love the Goan people – hard-working, optimistic, quick with a smile and always happy to chat.

The Spice of Life

Food is enjoyed fully in Goa, as it is throughout India. The scents, spices and flavours of Goa’s cuisine will surprise and tantalise even seasoned travellers: whether it's a classic fish curry rice, a morning bhali-pau (bread roll dipped in curry), a piquant vindaloo, with its infusions of wine vinegar and garlic, or a spicy xacuti sauce, the Indo-Portuguese influence is a treat for the tastebuds. While you're here, visit a back-country spice farm to learn why the Portuguese were so excited about Goa.

Beach Bounty

Goa’s biggest draw is undoubtedly its virtually uninterrupted string of golden-sand beaches. This shimmering strand stretches along the Arabian Sea from the tip to the toe of the state, and each of the various beaches have developed their own personalities and reputations since the hippie days of the sixties. They cater to every tropical whim: choose from backpacker Arambol or bolder, brasher Baga; from the palm-fringed sands of Palolem to hippie market bliss at Anjuna or lovely, laid-back Mandrem; from expansive groomed sands in front of fancy five-star resorts or hidden crescent coves, where the only footprints will be the scuttling crabs' and your own

Tilicho Lake Trekking - The Highest Lake In The World

Trek To Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake Trekking collects the glacial melt of the entire northern slopes of Annapurna and Thorang Peak, which is claimed to be the highest lake in the world. In 2001, Hindu pilgrims from around the world flocked to the lake convinced it is a holy spot mentioned in the Ramayan - a holy book of the Hindus.

Tilicho Lake Trekking starts right from Besisahar as Annapurna Circuit Trekking, which goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great views of Manaslu and Himal Chuli to the east. This magnificent Tilicho lake trekking leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic views of the white Himalayas. We have customized this route, as it is basically, the same as Annapurna Circuit, from Manang instead of taking the valley north to Tanki Manang and Yak Kharka this route goes to the main valley to the west passes through the Khanshar Village (The Last Village of Nepal) and trek up to Tilicho lake, then we travel to Yak Kharka then up to pass of Thorung La at elevation of 5416 meters. From the Thorung - La pass, the treks lead down to Muktinath then to Jomsom from where thirty-five minutes scenic flights take you to the Pokhara.

Sauraha Chitwan Nepal Experience The Beauty

About Sauraha

Sauraha is a village in Chitwan District of Nepal situated close by the Rapti River and the Chitwan National Park. It is the eastern gateway to Chitwan National Park and jungle safaris for budget, mid-priced and 3-4 star tourists. Beginning literally as small and very quaint Tharu village of mud and daub huts and houses, with a half dozen mud and daub hotels, it has grown into a small quiet town full of western style hotels and resorts, restaurants, internet cafes, and gift shops.

Jungle / wildlife safaris by foot, jeep and elephant. You are for sure to see the rhinoceros. Also many types of deer, monkeys, and Bengal tiger. Bird watching in and around the jungle. Especially Bish hajar Taal (20,000 lakes) wetlands area approximately 10 kilometers north west from Sauraha.

A quickly growing but still small village that caters to the needs of the visitors to Chitwan National Park, the best known safari park in Nepal. It is located 160 kms by road from Kathmandu, 155 kms by road from Pokhara and 160 kms by road from the Indian border at Sunauli. The Chitwan National Park (R500 entrance fee) is home to Bengal tigers, rhinoceroses, bears, leopards, crocodiles and monkeys amongst others, and hundreds of species of birds and butterflies. The village of Sauraha is separated from the national park by the Rapti River, which is safe to swim in. During the dry season one can wander the sand dunes of the shrunken river. It is possible to walk for miles along the mud roads west, north and east of the village to other, rural Tharu villages.

What to do: Watch the sun set over the National Park / Go for a ride on an elephant / Bird watch on the oddly-named 20,000 lake / Stay overnight in the jungle spotting wild animals from the lookout tower / Watch a Tharu cultural show/Hire a bike and wander about Tharu villages / Swim in the river and watch the elephants being bathed / Drink cool beers at one of the "beach" bars / Go for a jungle safari on foot, by elephant or by jeep / Go for a canoe trip on the river.

What you may not like: Mosquitoes at certain times of the year (nets are provided in hotels/lodges) / The overzealous hotel touts at the bus park (simply board any jeep that will take you the 3 kms to the village. If you stay in the hotel the jeep goes to the ride is free. If you don't like the look of the lodge, hand the driver R30 for the ride and choose another place).

How long: You might really like the laid back atmosphere and stay longer than you had originally planned. The small village has a few restaurants a la Pokhara and Thamel, but local-style eateries as well. There are no asphalt roads here, just dirt/mud tracks and hardly any traffic. Life is tranquil here. You will want to spend at least one day in the national park, and a couple more days to walk/bike around about. Give yourself at least a minimum of three days.

When to go: The dry season would be best (November-April) and March would be the ideal time. The daytime temperature is not too hot and the elephant grass in the national park has been cut, allowing for better animal spotting.

Where to stay: Twenty years ago when Sauraha was a one horse village, the only places to stay were the lodges inside the national park, and these are not exactly cheap accommodation.

Where to eat? Probably not in your lodge/hotel restaurant where the prices tend to be too high. Fairly basic meals can be had at the three beach bars.

When is the best time to visit Sauraha?

Spring February till end of April and fall Mid September till mid December.

Accommodation

The Chitwan National Park offers a wide variety of accommodation, not only in size, facilities and visual appearance, but also In price range. If you are looking for exclusive comfort with superior personalize service right in the heart of the park then visit Sauraha for a previews of private luxury and luxury and budget accommodation.

For anyone who visits Chitwan National Park, it sooner or later becomes an addiction. If you site back and think about it, sometime you wonder, why! Chitwan National Park has a long history behind it and also has the unique honor of being Nepal's first National Park. Established in 1973 to protect the wildlife of the low land Terai, this national park of 932sq.k.is unrivaled in the diversity of its life forms and a leader in advanced bio diversity conservation techniques and policies. Since then, there has been no looking back for Chitwan National Park-Nepal's first and richest national park.

As primary destination crowned as the World Heritage site in nature category. The Chitwan National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in the Asia. Truly the flagship of Nepal's national parks, Chitwan is the home to an impressive numbers of species. Mans interaction with the environment over many centuries-is very evident in the Chitwan National Park. This treasures represent the cultures, person and event that played a role in the making of the park and are conserved along with the parks nature assets. The most accessible amongst Nepal's national park, Chitwan is considered by many naturalist to be simply the best managed park in Asia.

Visit South India The Unchanged Culture But Rich In Technology

Introducing South India

Like a giant wedge plunging into the ocean, South India is the subcontinent's steamy heartland – a lush contrast to the peaks and plains up north.

Sophisticated Cities

The south's vibrant cities are the pulse of a country that is fast-forwarding through the 21st century while also at times seemingly stuck in the Middle Ages. From in-yer-face Mumbai (Bombay) and increasingly sophisticated Chennai (Madras) to historic Hyderabad, IT capital Bengaluru (Bangalore) and quaint, colonial-era Kochi (Cochin) and Puducherry (Pondicherry), southern cities are great for browsing teeming markets and colourful boutiques, soaking up culture and indulging in India's trendier side. Think fashionable cafes and coffee houses, imaginative gourmet restaurants and a blitzkrieg of hipsterised microbreweries and cocktail bars.

Why I Love South India & Kerala

By Kevin Raub, Writer

Forgetting the first time I landed in Mumbai on the tail end of a late '90s monsoon is a hopeless endeavour. Never had I encountered such thunderstorms, an absolute onslaught of Armageddon proportions. But once the clouds cleared over the gateway to South India, one of the world's most cinematic cities sprung to life, a kaleidoscopic potpourri of colour and chaos, a high-spirited melange of mayhem and masala. Be it Mumbai's gastronomic feats, Goa's sun-drenched sands, Tamil Nadu's heaving temple towns or Kerala's lazy backwaters, the South Indian see-saw of shock and awe never lets you forget.

Luscious Landscapes

Thousands of kilometres of coastline frame fertile plains and rolling hills in South India – a constantly changing landscape kept glisteningly green by the double-barrelled monsoon. The palm-strung strands and inland waterways of the west give way to spice gardens, tea plantations, tropical forests and cool hill-station retreats in the Western Ghats. The drier Deccan 'plateau' is far from flat, being crossed by numerous craggy ranges and often spattered with dramatic, fort-topped outcrops. And across the region, preserved wild forests shelter wildlife from elephants and tigers to monkeys and sloth bears.

A Fabulous Heritage

Wherever you go in the south you'll be bumping into the magnificent relics of the splendid civilisations that have inhabited this land over two millennia – the amazing rock-cut shrines carved out by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains at Ajanta and Ellora; the palaces, tombs, forts and mosques of Muslim dynasties on the Deccan; Tamil Nadu's inspired Pallava sculptures and towering Chola temples; the magical ruins of the Vijayanagar capital at Hampi…and a whole lot more. It's a diverse cultural treasure trove with few parallels.

Delicious Dining

South India's glorious culinary variety and melange of dining options beckon hungry travellers. Some of India's most famous and traditional staples hail from here: large papery dosas (savoury crêpes) and idlis (fermented rice cakes) are the backbone of South Indian fare. Mouth-watering Mumbai is India’s top destination for gastronomic indulgence, be it vibrant street food or diverse haute cuisine; Goa's spicy, Portuguese-influenced fare is inventive fiery fusion at its finest; and Kerala's coconut-laced seafood is the stuff of legend – all resulting in a deliciously rewarding culinary journey for visitors.

The Beautiful Rara Lake Treeking

Trekking In Nepal

(Trekking in Off The Beaten Trail)

Rara Lake Trekking (Camping Treks)

Best season :	Mar - Dec
Trekking duration :	10 - 11 Days.
Trekking grade :	C (Strenuous)
Mx. altitude :	3,710 m.
Starting from :	Nepalgunj
Ending Point :	Jumla – Nepalgung – kathmandu by flight.
Culture :	Mixture of different ethnic groups, Magar and Gurung at lower and Tibetan origin at higher
Mode of Trekking :	Fully Organized Camping Trekking.
Himalayan Sights :	Western Himalayan ranges surrounded the lake
Highlight :	Remote part of Nepal, wilderness and solitude travel, one of the largest lake in Nepal, offers spectacular scenery of snow capped peaks, green valleys, with dirrerent cultures of people.

Rara Lake Trekking:

A journey to Rara lake is one of the most incredible and fascinating treks in all the Himalayan range lie northwest of Kathmandu in the remote area of Karnali. If you are looking of wilderness and solitude travel, this trek is an ideal choice. The route is very much 'off the beaten track' and affords glimpses of cultures and scenery very different from the rest of Nepal. The clear, high altitude lake of Rara, which mirrors the snow capped Himalayas is ringed with blue pine, black juniper forest and Himalayan cypress Lake Rara is a popular serenity pilgrimage for Nepalese. In summer rainfall is low, and ideal for trekking. In the winter there is often snow on the ridge surrounding the lake, in the autumn season trekkers are rewarded with a profusion of alpine flowers. Rara Lake is five kilometers long and two kilometers wide and is the largest lake in Nepal. The national Park is one of the best places in Nepal to see wildlife: musk deer, leopards, ghorals, tahr, Himalayan black beer, and the rare red panda are all native. The park is also a bird watcher’s delight, especially during November and April when many species of birds visit during their seasonal migration.

Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1:	Arrive In Kathmandu This is the first welcoming day that we meet upon arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to Hotel. Short briefing will be followed about necessary formalities and rest of the program. Depending on your arrival time you will have choice of visiting nearby sanctuaries or rest of the time free for leisure.
Day 2:	Sightseeing / Cultural Day In Kathmandu Valley Half day sightseeing around Kathmandu, Patan city where you will have time to fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local tradition are highlighted on my guided tour. There’s time to explore the city’s many charms on your own or take a rest while I finalize trekking area permits. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. Q/N in Kathmandu.
Day 3:	Kathmandu - Nepalgunj Fly to Nepalgung. Overnight at local hotel.
Day 4:	Nepalgunj – Jumla – Padmara By flight. Jumla town (2340m) is in a valley and their paddy is cultivated (making Jumla the highest place on earth where it is grown). The town is the administrative headquarters of the Karnali Zone. From Jumla we start walking towards Padmara. There are two tracks leading north to Gumgarhi and Rara. One is a trail leading directly form the north of the town. The other is more popular trek route that turns east of the town towards Dansanhu (2347m) at the confluence of Tila Nadi with Chaudbise Khola. We transverse northeast along the right side of the Chaudbise Khola through pine forests. Two hours further is Urthu (2520m) at the confluence of Chaudbise Khola and Ghurseni Khola. The bridge leads east to Chaudbise area. The trek now ascends steeply through the narrow gorge of the Ghurseni Khola, keeping all the time to its right slope. Padmara (3017m), a Chhetri village at the head of the valley is one hour beyond the canyon head. Overnight at camp.
Day 5:	Padmara – Bumra The track beyond Padmara continues rising along the north side of Ghurseni stream. We leave the last fields at 3048 meters and climb to the first pass, Khali Langa (3545m), four kilometers from Padmara. We follow down the right bank of stream to a foot-bridge at 3353 meter and cross it to the west side. We continue descending north for one hour through dense forest to reach a log bridge at 2743 meters over Sinja Khola, here called Lah Gad. Cross the bridge to the north side, turn west and climb to Bumra (2830m) about two kilometers further. Overnight at camp.
Day 6:	Gumra – Pine The track beyond Bumra keeps high above the river and skirts two small spurs to reach Bhargaon (2890m) in 1.5 hours. After one kilometer at the end of the fields, the track turns north into the tributary stream of Ghautha Khola. We cross the stream by a log bridge to the west side and climb to Chautha (3100m) in a forest clearing. After an hour the valley opens out into a pleasant meadow. We keep to the left stream until a western tributary joins it. Before reaching Ghurchi Langna (3457m) we climb up the narrow gully on the north east slope and skirt north across a series of spurs to reach Pine (2430m) Overnight at camp.
Day 7:	PINE – Rara Lake RARA LAKE is only eight kilometers west of Pine. It is a short, pleasant trek with fine views to the north. From Pine, we take a trail turning west that transverse a steep north-facing slope. After crossing a stretch of fields, we climb a small spur and descend to the stream. We cross the bridge and climb up to the hamlet of Jhari from Pina (2500m). It will take just over two hours to reach Jhari form Pina. From Jhari, we ascend west along a ridge for about 700 meters to reach a low saddle in two hours. The large lake is visible directly north of this saddle. From here, it is pleasant descent to the meadows on the south side of the lake. The village site of Rara (3040m) on the north side is a pleasant two hours walk along the western bank of the lake. Overnight at camp.
Day 8:	Rara Lake Rest day and explore Rara area- Rara area was designated a National Park in 1975 and it takes about eight hours to walk round the lake. Overnight at camp.
Day 9:	Rara Lake – Ghorasain We walk the lake outlet (2980m) and follow the down stream of Khatyar Gad for an hour. There is a log bridge over the stream below Murma (3139m). Cross the bridge to the south side and clime steadily over the 400 meters to reach an open clearing at 3277 meters. The trail continues climbing south through dense forest until the tree line is reached at 3658m. The ridge continues to south for another 200 meters but it is pleasant trail with distant view of the mountains. There is no pass on this high ridge and the trail turns south-east at an altitude of 3749m and descends by the east side of Chuchemara Danda. It is a fairly steep descent to Ghorasain (3271m). Overnight at camp.
Day 10:	Ghorasain – Sinja From Ghorasain there is trail down the valley to Botan (2895m). A more interesting trail with better scenic prospect is to climb Diyabala Danda due south of Ghorasain. The climb begins immediately west of Ghorasain and takes about an hour through forest to top the crest at 5351 meters. The trail then skirts south-east above the high fields of Lumsa. There are good views to the south along the Sinja valley. The trail descends to Okharpati village (3100m) on a high shelf above Mindrabali Gad. The descent from Okharpati to Sinja takes less than two hours. Overnight at camp.
Day 11:	Sinja – Chere Chaur We cross the log bridge over Sinja Khola to the east and follow the south bank of Jaljale Gad beyond Kotgaon near Lamathada. We follow the stream for another five kilometers due east. Then we ascend the ridge (2865m) briefly to descend to the same stream again. The trail clings to the south side of the stream all the way for another nine kilometers. The trail twists and turns along the stream but it is a pleasant trail amidst forest wilderness. Finally, the trail climb east along a gully to ascend a pass at 3597m. We descend east along a wide meadow into the headquarters of Ju Gad that drains to Jumla town. Descend east along the stream and transverse another kilometers to Chere Chaur (2987m). Overnight at camp.
Day 12:	Chere Chaur – Jumla Chere Chaur is a delightful alpine pasture where flowers are in profusion during later summer. It provides good views of the Jumla town, Tila valley and Chyakhure Lekh beyond. The return to the town camp is pleasant descent in slow stages. Overnight at camp.
Day 13:	Jumla – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu by flight Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Climb Mount Everest- The Top Of The World

Mt. Everest. The tallest mountain in the world soars almost five and a half miles into the sky and pierces the jet stream with its iconic summit. Embarking on an expedition to Mt. Everest can be the pinnacle of a climbing career and deserves all of the personal support and guidance that RMI offers.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Join a small and personal climbing team with a 3:1 climber to guide ratio and a 1:1 climber to Sherpa ratio.
• Enjoy the best Base Camp facilities available.
• Take comfort in the comprehensive medical support available through our unlimited access to Everest's Base Camp clinic and highly trained guides.
• Navigate the Khumbu Icefall, cross the Yellow Band, and ascend the Hillary Step with the guidance and partnership of RMI's experienced Everest guides.
• Take part in an RMI Everest Expedition and see why we continue to set the standard in guiding excellence.

RMI's small, exclusive team is led by tenured RMI Guide and Everest veterans. RMI's guiding approach on Everest differs notably from many other guide services as we intentionally keep our team small. Instead of running a large expedition with many climbers, we focus our attention on leading a more personal climbing team, concentrating our resources on each individual to ensure the safest, most enjoyable, and most successful experience possible for each one of our climbers. RMI's Everest Expedition has one of the best climber-to-guide ratios on the mountain. This lower ratio provides our climbers with many benefits including:

1. Providing the flexibility to tailor climbing agendas and acclimatization schedules to individual needs.
2. Giving climbers consistent guidance from our experienced western guides throughout the climb.
3. Allowing our climbers to build solid rapports with their guides and fellow team members; we share our meals around one table, discuss route and weather conditions together, and plan and approach the climb as a close-knit team.
4. Superior Sherpa support.

Having a smaller team facilitates stronger team dynamics, better communication, individualized attention, helps avoid the fragmentation inherent to larger expeditions, and we believe creates the strongest and most enjoyable climbing team possible.

With over four decades of mountain guiding experience RMI has rightfully earned our standing as one of the most distinguished guide services in the world: we maintain strict standards of safety, climb with small ratios, offer an unparalleled level of service, provide you with the best, most experienced Mt. Everest guides, and have an infrastructure that is entirely geared toward your individual safety and success on Mt. Everest.

Short Trek In Annapurna Region- Nepal

I'm just back from my second trip to Nepal this year, I go out to do some training for farmers but if I'm lucky can get some time to myself. August was monsoon time and generally not recommended for trekking (you can't see the mountains for cloud anyway), but March was great and I did a 3 day trek in the Annapurna Region. Based in Pokhara, "Thamel by a lake", with its good hotels and food, we started out from Nayapul and trekked clockwise to Birethani, Ghandruk, Potana, Dhampus and finally Phedi.

There was some rain but short and sharp, I preferred to shelter in one of the frequent tea houses along the way rather than wear hot sweaty waterproofs. Light trekking shoes were fine rather than heavy boots - but make sure they have good quality soles with grips as the rocks on the paths can be treacherous when wet. I took a 35l backpack with 8kg weight, including a 0.9kg sleeping bag (ultralite and compact, from Tesco UK, excellent quality and price, GBP35).

The scenery was, well, amazing as you might expect. Waking up in Ghandruk village and seeing the Annapurna range, across the pristine meadows and in silence was unforgettable. I do a fair bit of hill walking in Scotland but I found the trekking in Nepal more strenuous, the ascents and descents were more frequent and steeper, at least on the trek that I did. Also, I was unfit after all work and no play before I left the UK.

If you haven't been trekking in Nepal before, I wouldn't recommend it first time without a guide as the routes are mostly not signposted, maps not detailed enough and taking a wrong turn is costly in time and energy. My guide was Ram Shrestha of Splendid High Adventure, Thamel, Kathmandu (http://splendidhighadventure.com/index), who was recommended by a friend in Nepal. Ram organised everything, from airport pickup, accommodation in Pokhara and en route, and was my attentive guide on the trail. I felt safe and well looked after - thoroughly recommended - thanks, Ram.

Annapurna_Mountain_Range-Annapurna_Region_Gandaki_Zone_Western_Region_Nepal

Kathmandu- The City Of Temples

For many, stepping off a plane into Kathmandu is a pupil-dilating experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can quickly lead to sensory overload. Whether you’re barrelling through the traffic-jammed alleyways of the old town in a rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district of Thamel, Kathmandu can be an intoxicating, amazing and exhausting place.

The 2015 earthquake brought devastation to parts of the city - including Kathmandu's Unesco-listed Durbar Square - but many areas emerged unscathed, and the soul of the city endures. Stroll through the backstreets and Kathmandu’s timeless cultural and artistic heritage will reveal itself in hidden temples overflowing with marigolds, courtyards full of drying chillies and rice, and tiny hobbit-sized workshops.

This endlessly fascinating, sometimes infuriating city has enough sights to keep you busy for a week, but be sure to leave its backpacker comforts and explore the ‘real Nepal’ before your time runs out.

Pokhara- The Heaven Of Asia

Far from the earthquake epicenter, and almost unaffected by the disaster, Pokhara ticks all the right boxes, with spectacular scenery, adventure activities, and accommodation and food choices galore. Whether you’ve returned from a three-week trek or endured a bus trip from hell, Lakeside Pokhara is the perfect place to recharge your batteries.

The scene is a chilled-out version of Thmel, stretching along the shore of a tranquil lake with bobbing paddle boats. From the lake, and possibly even from your hotel bed, you can enjoy a clear view of the snow-capped mountains, just twenty or so kilometres away.

There’s much more to Pokhara than its laid-back charm. It also boasts a booming adventure sports industry; it is arguably the best paragliding venue on the globe and is surrounded by white-water rivers. There's a fascinating museum dedicated to the world-famous Gurkha soldier. And last but not least, it’s the gateway to the world-famous treks in and around the Annapurna range and beyond.

5 Tips For India First-Timers

Chaotic, bamboozling, intoxicating, crazy, exasperating, wonderful, squalid, beautiful, daunting, overwhelming, and fantastic.

India is all these things, and more. How can you possibly prepare yourself? Start with our tips for taking the ultimate travel plunge: going to India for the first time!

Early morning at the Taj Mahal, Agra.

1. Pick the perfect route

India packs a lot into a massive space, and you'll never have time to see it all on one trip. Think about what interests you, what you like doing and how much time you have, and tailor your trip accordingly. Be realistic about how much you can fit in. Rather than trying to see the whole country, you may get more out of your trip if you concentrate on the south of the country, or on the north. However, internal flights are plentiful and inexpensive so you can hop from north to south if you want a taste of both worlds. The itineraries section at the front of Lonely Planet's guidebooks to India can be a great help, but here are some possible itineraries to get the ball rolling.

The classics: The most popular India tour is the all-time classic Golden Triangle. If time is short this is a fantastic introduction to three of India's top destinations, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and you can squeeze it into a week if you don't mind moving every couple of days. Start in Delhi, with sights such as Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort, before hitting Agra and touring the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Then it's on to Jaipur to explore the Pink City and the fort at Amber, before returning to Delhi's wonderful bazaars for a final shopping spree before you fly home.

The towering gopuram of the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi.

Religious sites: If it’s temples you’re after, you’ll find them everywhere, but in north and central India, you'll be truly spoiled for choice. There’s the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the erotically carved edifices of Khajuraho, Konark's rock-carved Sun Temple, and cohorts of exquisitely hewn milk-white-marble Jain temples in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Temples in the south are something else again, with towering, statue-covered gopuram towers; there are stunning examples at Hampi, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Tiruvannamalai, and exquisitely decorated temple caves at Ajanta and Ellora, and Elephanta Island near Mumbai.

Mughal magic: Fans of Islamic architecture will find some spectacular monuments in Delhi, home to the Red Fort, the mosques and minarets of the Qutb Minar complex and Humuyan’s Tomb. Nearby you can revel in more graceful Mughal splendour at Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, before exploring Rajasthan's captivating collection of Mughal forts, including Jaisalmer, the very vision of an Arabian Nights desert fortress.

Sun, sea and sand at Vagator, Goa.

Beaches & waterways: Head south to enjoy India’s finest beaches. Munch bhelpuri (puffed rice, noodles, green mango and a tangy sauce) on Mumbai’s Girgaum Chowpatty beach before drifting south to the sand and sun in Goa. Take your pick of the Goan beaches – Arambol, Vagator, and Palolem are top spots – or try the black sand beaches of Kovalam and Varkala in Kerala, as well as lesser-known, golden sand in the north of the state. Kerala is also famous for its meandering backwaters, where you can hire a houseboat or a canoe and let the world glide gently by. Similarly serene is beautiful Dal lake in Srinagar in Kashmir, where – depending on the security situation –you can watch the mountains rise out of the mist from the walnut windowframe of a traditional wooden houseboat.
Wildlife encounters: Your best chances of spotting a tiger are in the national parks of Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, but there are national reserves all over India where you can track down wildlife as exotic as lions (Sasan Gir, Gujarat), wild asses (Little Rann, Gujarat), one-horned rhinos (Assam) and wild elephants (Wayanad, Kerala), as well as abundant birdlife (Bharatpur, Rajasthan). Not quite wildlife, but certainly wild, are camel treks through the desert from Jaisalmer or Bikaner in Rajasthan.

Royal Bengal tiger in repose, Rajasthan. 

Trekking & mountains: The north is a playground for adrenaline seekers, with pretty much every outdoor activity imaginable on offer in the Kullu Valley and the high reaches of Uttarkhand and Himachal Pradesh, from treks to skiing and white-water rafting. Shimla, the classic hill station, is a great place to start, as is Manali, still further north. Ideal trekking season is in September/October, after the monsoon. To take adventure up a notch, set off from Manali for the epic two-day journey (possible from mid-June to mid-September) to Leh in Ladakh, whose towering mountain peaks are criss-crossed by epic hiking trails. Rishikesh is another top spot for rafting and trekking, with a famous pilgrimage trail to four sacred mountain temples, and more treks await in mountainous Sikkim.

Vividly-coloured statues at Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Trivandrum, Kerala.

Spiritual India: For religious fervour, Varanasi reigns supreme, with its ancient funeral ghats where Hindus pay their last respects to the dead beside the sacred River Ganges. But you’ll encounter India’s spiritual side all over the country, particularly at pilgrimage towns such as Ajmer and Pushkar in Rajasthan, or the Sikh holy city of Amritsar in the Punjab. If you want to get more involved, you'll find classes in meditation and yoga almost everywhere, from the Delhi suburbs to the ashrams of Rishikesh. For Buddhist encounters, aim for Tibetan-Buddhist centres such as Leh in Ladakh and McLeod Ganj(Dharamsala), home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.

2. Slow down

Many people try to cram too much into a visit to India. To get the best out your trip, concentrate on a few places rather than trying to tick off as many as possible. Seeing one place slowly can be much more rewarding than seeing loads of places, but not having time to appreciate any of them. Spend a few days in a place and you'll be less stressed, gain a deeper understanding of where you are, and have more time to get to know the people you meet.

Contemplating the desert in Zanskar.

3. Escape with crowds

With over a billion locals, many parts of India are certainly crowded. The bustle and mayhem can be fun, particularly if there's a festival in town, but it's easy to reach the point of saturation. Fortunately, India has plenty of quiet retreats, so plan some relaxing escapes into your journey. To keep your batteries charged, spend some days or weeks in a city, followed by some days or weeks in the countryside or in a small town. For inner (and outer) peace, head south to the backwaters and beaches of Kerala, or north to India's captivating hill stations or the Tibetan-influenced valleys of the Himalaya in Ladakh, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.

4. Stay healthy

No one wants to get ill, particularly if you’re on a shorter trip, so it pays to take steps to avoid a dodgy tum. Never drink tap water, and steer clear of any food that may have been washed in it. As a precaution, avoid ice, ice cream, and salads and fruit you haven't just peeled yourself. Let your stomach acclimatise for a few days before launching into a street food feast, and whenever buying street food, do a mental assessment of standards of cleanliness. Are the owners freshly cooking the food or has it been standing there for a while? Is the stall busy with lots of customers or only attracting hoards of flies?

The classic Indian thali, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Many travellers go veggie whilst in India, and it's not a bad idea, as a dodgy bit of meat will do you a lot more harm than undercooked vegetables. Plus, many Indians are vegetarian, so the country offers perhaps the world's most fabulous choice of vegetarian food. If you do eat meat, make sure it's well cooked, and stick to stalls and restaurants that are packed with locals (the best barometer for hygiene standards).

When you’re on the road, you may well find you have to use some less than sanitary toilet stops, but these don't have to be health hazards. Toilet paper is rarely provided, but the left-hand-and-water-jug method preferred by many locals can be fine if you carry soap with you so you can wash your hands properly afterwards. Anti-bacterial wipes and anti-bacterial gel are also handy to keep in your day bag for a last minute clean up before eating with your fingers.

Old Delhi's colourful, chaotic sprawl.

5.Keep your cool

As well as its beauty and wonder, India has an often deserved reputation for touts, scams, and other hassles. There are ways you can reduce the chances of being overcharged or cheated, but you will have a few encounters with scammers on your trip, so keep your wits about you and remember that deals that sound too good to be true usually are. In particular, be wary of taxi and rickshaw drivers who insist on taking you to specific hotels, shops or travel agencies – the cost of their commission will added to your bill.

The single most important piece of advice for any India first-timer is to try to remain calm, no matter what. Frustrations boil over easily in India, and being able to control them, take a deep breath and move on, is key to enjoying your time here. If you’re getting stressed about losing some money or being scammed, take a moment to consider how much you’ve really lost and whether it’s worth getting that fussed about.